System and Apparatus for Adapting Operations of a Communication Device

ABSTRACT

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, at a base station, communicating with a mobile phone where the base station comprises a premises wireless access point, at the base station, communicating with a mobile communication system by way of a broadband connection, and instructing a landline phone communicatively coupled to the base station to communicate with a remote end user device via the mobile communication system utilizing identification information of the mobile phone and responsive to communications between the base station and the mobile phone. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/218,178 filed Mar. 18, 2014, which is acontinuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/847,021 filed Mar. 19, 2013, which is a continuation of and claimspriority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/461,885 now U.S. Pat.No. 8,427,985 filed May 2, 2012, which is a continuation of and claimspriority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/329,511 now U.S. Pat.No. 8,179,826 filed Dec. 5, 2008. The contents of each of the foregoingare hereby incorporated by reference into this application as if setforth herein in full.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to communication techniques andmore specifically to a system and apparatus for adapting operations of acommunication device.

BACKGROUND

In some instances cellular phones may not operate well in a building dueto poor in-building penetration, or in-building interference. To improvecellular coverage, some service providers offer localized short-rangebase stations commonly known as femtocells to improve cellularcommunications inside a residence or business establishment. Femtocellsprovide cellular phones an alternative means to communicate with acellular network by way of a broadband interface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-2 depict illustrative embodiments of communication systems thatprovide media services;

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portal interacting withthe communication systems of FIGS. 1-2;

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication deviceutilized in the communication systems of FIGS. 1-2;

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method according to thepresent disclosure;

FIGS. 6-7 depict illustrative embodiments of communication devicesoperating according to the method of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a base unit operablein part as a femtocell having a controller to detect a cellular phone,wirelessly establish communications with the cellular phone, establishcommunications with a cellular communication system by way of abroadband interface, and enable one or more landline phonescommunicatively couplable to the base unit to communicate with thecellular communication system responsive to establishing communicationswith the cellular phone.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure can entail acomputer-readable storage medium operable in part in a premises cellularaccess point having computer instructions to detect a cellular phone,establish communications with a cellular communication system by way ofa broadband interface, and enable one or more landline phones tocommunicate with the cellular communication system responsive todetecting the cellular phone.

Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a cellularphone having a controller to establish communications with a cellularcommunication system by way of a device operating in part as a premisescellular base station. The device can be adapted to enable one or morelandline phones to communicate with the cellular communication systemresponsive to the cellular phone being communicatively coupled to thedevice.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a landline phonehaving a controller to receive from a cellular communication systemcalls directed to a cellular phone responsive to the cellular phoneestablishing communications with a premises cellular base station.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a landline phonereceiving from a cellular communication system calls directed to acellular phone responsive to the cellular phone being communicativelycoupled to a premises cellular base station.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a first communicationsystem 100 for delivering media content. The communication system 100can represent an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) broadcast mediasystem. The IPTV media system can include a super head-end office (SHO)110 with at least one super headend office server (SHS) 111 whichreceives media content from satellite and/or terrestrial communicationsystems. In the present context, media content can represent audiocontent, moving image content such as videos, still image content, orcombinations thereof. The SHS server 111 can forward packets associatedwith the media content to video head-end servers (VHS) 114 via a networkof video head-end offices (VHO) 112 according to a common multicastcommunication protocol.

The VHS 114 can distribute multimedia broadcast programs via an accessnetwork 118 to commercial and/or residential buildings 102 housing agateway 104 (such as a common residential or commercial gateway). Theaccess network 118 can represent a group of digital subscriber lineaccess multiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a servicearea interface that provide broadband services over optical links orcopper twisted pairs to buildings 102. The gateway 104 can use commoncommunication technology to distribute broadcast signals to mediaprocessors 106 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn presentbroadcast channels to media devices 108 such as computers or televisionsets managed in some instances by a media controller 107 (such as aninfrared or RF remote control).

The gateway 104, the media processors 106, and media devices 108 canutilize tethered interface technologies (such as coaxial or phone linewiring) or can operate over a common wireless access protocol. Withthese interfaces, unicast communications can be invoked between themedia processors 106 and subsystems of the IPTV media system forservices such as video-on-demand (VoD), browsing an electronicprogramming guide (EPG), or other infrastructure services.

Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be coupled toone or more computing devices 130 a portion of which can operate as aweb server for providing portal services over an Internet ServiceProvider (ISP) network 132 to wireline media devices 108 or wirelesscommunication devices 116 by way of a wireless access base station 117operating according to common wireless access protocols such as WirelessFidelity (WiFi), or cellular communication technologies (such as GSM,CDMA, UMTS, WiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR, and so on).

A cellular communication system 135 providing cellular communicationservices to roaming cellular phones can also be communicatively coupledto the ISP network 132 to provide communication services to cellularphones communicatively coupled to a premises base station such as afemtocell as will be described below by way of a method illustrated inFIG. 5.

It will be appreciated by an artisan of ordinary skill in the art that asatellite broadcast television system can be used in place of the IPTVmedia system. In this embodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 115supplying media content can be intercepted by a common satellite dishreceiver 131 coupled to the building 102. Modulated signals interceptedby the satellite dish receiver 131 can be submitted to the mediaprocessors 106 for generating broadcast channels which can be presentedat the media devices 108. The media processors 106 can be equipped witha broadband port to the ISP network 132 to enable infrastructureservices such as VoD and EPG described above.

In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital broadcast distributionsystem such as cable TV system 133 can be used in place of the IPTVmedia system described above. In this embodiment the cable TV system 133can provide Internet, telephony, and interactive media services.

It follows from the above illustrations that the present disclosure canapply to any present or future interactive over-the-air or landlinemedia content services.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 200employing an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture tofacilitate the combined services of circuit-switched and packet-switchedsystems. Communication system 200 can be overlaid or operably coupledwith communication system 100 as another representative embodiment ofcommunication system 100.

Communication system 200 can comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)240, a tElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server 230, and other commonnetwork elements of an IMS network 250. The IMS network 250 canestablish communications between IMS compliant communication devices(CD) 201, 202, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) CDs 203, 205,and combinations thereof by way of a Media Gateway Control Function(MGCF) 220 coupled to a PSTN network 260.

IMS CDs 201, 202 can register with the IMS network 250 by contacting aProxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates with acorresponding Serving CSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with at the HSS240. To initiate a communication session between CDs, an originating IMSCD 201 can submit a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP INVITE) message toan originating P-CSCF 204 which communicates with a correspondingoriginating S-CSCF 206. The originating S-CSCF 206 can submit queries tothe ENUM system 230 to translate an E.164 telephone number in the SIPINVITE to a SIP Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) if the terminatingcommunication device is IMS compliant.

The SIP URI can be used by an Interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 207 to submita query to the HSS 240 to identify a terminating S-CSCF 214 associatedwith a terminating IMS CD such as reference 202. Once identified, theI-CSCF 207 can submit the SIP INVITE to the terminating S-CSCF 214. Theterminating S-CSCF 214 can then identify a terminating P-CSCF 216associated with the terminating CD 202. The P-CSCF 216 then signals theCD 202 to establish communications.

If the terminating communication device is instead a PSTN CD such asreferences 203 or 205, the ENUM system 230 can respond with anunsuccessful address resolution which can cause the originating S-CSCF206 to forward the call to the MGCF 220 via a Breakout Gateway ControlFunction (BGCF) 219. The MGCF 220 can then initiate the call to theterminating PSTN CD by common means over the PSTN network 260.

The aforementioned communication process is symmetrical. Accordingly,the terms “originating” and “terminating” in FIG. 2 are interchangeable.It is further noted that communication system 200 can be adapted tosupport video conferencing by way of common protocols such as H.323. Inaddition, communication system 200 can be adapted to provide the IMS CDs201, 203 the multimedia and Internet services of communication system100.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portal 302 which canoperate from the computing devices 130 described earlier ofcommunication 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. The portal 302 can be used formanaging services of communication systems 100-200. The portal 302 canbe accessed by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) with a common Internetbrowser such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer™ using an Internet-capablecommunication device such as those described for FIGS. 1-2. The portal302 can be configured, for example, to access a media processor 106 andservices managed thereby such as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), a VoDcatalog, an EPG, a personal catalog (such as personal videos, pictures,audio recordings, etc.) stored in the media processor, provisioning IMSservices described earlier, provisioning Internet services, provisioningcellular phone services, and so on.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication device 400.Communication 400 can serve in whole or in part as an illustrativeembodiment of the communication devices of FIGS. 1-2. The communicationdevice 400 can comprise a wireline and/or wireless transceiver 402(herein transceiver 402), a user interface (UI) 404, a power supply 414,a location receiver 416, and a controller 406 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 402 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth, WiFi, Digital EnhancedCordless Telecommunications (DECT), or cellular communicationtechnologies, just to mention a few. Cellular technologies can include,for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX,SDR, and next generation cellular wireless communication technologies asthey arise. The transceiver 402 can also be adapted to supportcircuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCPIP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 404 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 408 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, joystick, mouse, ornavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device400. The keypad 408 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 400 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth. The keypad 408 canrepresent a numeric dialing keypad commonly used by phones, and/or aQwerty keypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 404 can further include adisplay 410 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display),OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technologyfor conveying images to an end user of the communication device 400. Inan embodiment where the display 410 is touch-sensitive, a portion or allof the keypad 408 can be presented by way of the display.

The UI 404 can also include an audio system 412 that utilizes commonaudio technology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heardonly in the proximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such asspeakerphone for hands free operation). The audio system 412 can furtherinclude a microphone for receiving audible signals of an end user. Theaudio system 412 can also be used for voice recognition applications.The UI 404 can further include an image sensor 413 such as a chargedcoupled device (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 414 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and charging system technologies for supplying energy tothe components of the communication device 400 to facilitate long-rangeor short-range portable applications. The location receiver 416 canutilize common location technology such as a global positioning system(GPS) receiver for identifying a location of the communication device100 based on signals generated by a constellation of GPS satellites,thereby facilitating common location services such as navigation.

The communication device 100 can use the transceiver 402 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi or Bluetooth access point bycommon power sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or a signal time of arrival (TOA) or timeof flight (TOF). The controller 406 can utilize computing technologiessuch as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and/or avideo processor with associated storage memory such a Flash, ROM, RAM,SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies.

The communication device 400 can be adapted to perform the functions ofthe media processor 106, the media devices 108, or the portablecommunication devices 116 of FIG. 1, as well as the IMS CDs 201-202 andPSTN CDs 203-205 of FIG. 2. It will be appreciated that thecommunication device 400 can also represent other common devices thatcan operate in communication systems 100-200 of FIGS. 1-2 such as agaming console and a media player.

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative a method 500 operating in portions of theaforementioned communication systems. FIG. 6 shows an illustrativeembodiment of communication devices operating according to method 500.Block diagram 600 comprises a landline communication device 602 in theform of a tablet with a touch-sensitive display (herein referred to astablet 602). The tablet 602 can include communication technology tosupport both DECT and WiFi protocols. The tablet 602 can becommunicatively coupled to a base unit 606 by way of DECT and WiFi airinterfaces. A plurality of cordless handsets 604 can also becommunicatively coupled to the base unit 606 using the DECT protocol.

The base unit 606 can include communication technology forcommunicatively interfacing to a PSTN, VoIP or IMS network such as thosedescribed earlier. The base unit 606 can be coupled to anInternet/router modem 608 for communicatively interfacing to the ISPnetwork 132 of FIG. 1. The base unit 606 can provide the cordlesshandsets voice communication services, and the tablet 602 a combinationof voice and data communication services. The tablet 602 and cordlesshandsets 604 can be equipped with common camera sensors 610 (such as CCDsensors) which can enable these devices to support video communicationservices and capture still images or pictures.

The base unit 606 can also integrate femtocell technology in the form ofcommon hardware and software for short range cellular communicationswith cellular phones such as reference 612. When the cellular phone 612is in a communication range of the femtocell transceiver integrated inthe base unit 606, the base unit can provide the cellular phone cellularcommunication services by communicating with the cellular communicationsystem 135 over a broadband interface of the Internet router/modem 608.The base unit 606 can also be programmed to enable the tablet 602 and/orhandsets 604 to communicate with the cellular communication system 135while the cellular phone 612 is in communications with the base unit.

With the configuration of FIG. 6 in mind, method 500 can begin with step502 in which the cellular phone 612 comes in the proximity of the baseunit 606. In step 504, the base unit 606 detects the cellular phone 612by way of the integrated femtocell, and in step 506 establishescommunications with the cellular phone by way of the femtocell and thecellular communication system 135 by way of the broadband interface ofthe Internet router/modem 608. In this step, the cellular phone 612 canreceive and initiate calls in the same manner as it would while roamingby way of a remote base station such as reference 117 of FIG. 1. Whilethe cellular phone 612 is in communication with the base unit 606, thebase unit can submit in step 508 a request to the cellular phone or thetable 602 in the form of a query such as references 702 and 704presented by way of a user interface of the tablet 602 and cellularphone 612 as shown in FIG. 7.

At the tablet 602 the query can ask a user whether s/he would like toenable the tablet and/or certain handsets 604 to operate as the cellularphone 612. The base unit 606 can also direct the query as shown byreference 704 to the cellular phone 612. The user can respond to thisquery by way of the UI functions of the cellular phone 612 (e.g.,softkeys, navigation function, menus, etc.). An affirmative response tothe inquiry creates a state in the base unit 602 for treating the tablet602 and/or selected handsets 604 operationally the same as the cellularphone 612. Accordingly, when the base unit 606 detects an incoming calldirected to the cellular phone 612 by way of the broadband interface,the base unit 606 can also redirect the call to the tablet 602 and/orthe handsets 604. In this way, the user can answer the call on anynumber of communication devices communicatively coupled to the base unit606, not just the cellular phone 612.

If the user chooses in step 510 to enable the cordless phones in thismanner, the base unit 606 can proceed to step 512 where it records astate for directing incoming calls of the cellular phone 612 to thetablet 602 and cordless handsets 604. For outgoing calls, the base unit606 can provide the tablet 602 and/or cordless handsets 604 the optionto make a call by regular landline means (PSTN, VoIP, or IMS), or by thecellular communication system 135 as if the cellular phone wereconducting the call. In this latter embodiment, when the tablet 602 orcordless handset 604 initiates a cellular call, the base unit 606 canemulate a cellular call using an electronic serial number (ESN) orInternational Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) of the cellular phone 612as well as other signaling information to conduct the call as if it hadoriginated from the cellular phone.

Once the base unit 606 has enabled the cordless phones 602, 604 in step512, the base unit can also query the tablet 602 or the cellular phone612 to determine whether the tablet 602 and/or cordless handsets 604 areto function as the cellular phone 612 exclusively without the cellularphone's participation. In this state when incoming calls are directed tothe cellular phone 612, only the tablet 602 and/or cordless phones 604are signaled with an audible alert that indicates an incoming call ispending. The base unit 606 would not direct the call to the cellularphone 612, and thereby would not assert an audible alert correspondingto the call.

If the user chooses by way of UI manipulations to operate cellular callsonly by way of the cordless phones 602, 604, then the base unit 606 canproceed to step 516 where it suppresses calls to the cellular phone 612.Otherwise, cellular calls would be directed to the cellular phone 612and the cordless phones 602, 604 selected in steps 508-510.

From this point, the cordless phones 602, 604 and/or the cellular phone612 are prepared to accept incoming calls at step 518 or conduct callsat step 522. If an incoming call directed to the cellular phone 612 isdetected in step 518, the base unit 606 alerts in step 520 the cordlessphones 602, 604 and/or the cellular phone 612. If an outgoing call isinitiated in step 522 by a cordless phone 602, 604, the base unit 606can submit a query to the cordless phone in step 524 to determine if thecall is to be placed through the cellular communication system 135.

If it is not, the base unit 606 can place the call in step 528 via thePSTN, VoIP or IMS network discussed previously. Otherwise, the call isplaced in step 526 by way of the cellular communication system 135. Ifthe call is originated by the cellular phone 612 at step 522, the baseunit 606 can be programmed to skip step 524 and proceed to step 526where it places the call on the cellular communication system 135.Alternatively, the base unit 606 can be programmed to provide thecellular phone 612 the option to place the call by way a landlineconnection such as the PSTN, VoIP or IMS network in step 528.

In steps 530 and 534, the base unit 606 can also be programmed tomonitor actions that can cause the base unit to restore the cordlessphones 602, 604 to their original state of landline-only phones. In step530, for example, the base unit 606 can be programmed to detect anout-of-range condition with the cellular phone 612. This condition canarise when the cellular phone 612 is no longer in the communicationrange of the femtocell of the base unit 606 or when the cellular phoneis turned off. When this condition is detected, the base unit 606 can beprogrammed to restore in step 532 the cordless phones 602, 604 to theiroriginal landline-only state and submit a status message such asreference 706 to the tablet 602.

If an out-of-range condition is not detected, the base unit 606 canmonitor in step 534 a proactive termination request from one of thecordless phones 602, 604 or the cellular phone 612. The terminationrequest can be a UI option provided in either the cordless phones 602,604 and/or the cellular phone 612 such as shown by reference 708. When aproactive termination request is detected, the base unit 606 can proceedto step 532 where it restores the cordless phones 602, 604 to theiroriginal landline-only state.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope andspirit of the claims described below. Method 500 can be adapted so thatbase unit transcodes signals generated by the cellular phone 612 tocommunicatively couple the cellular phone to the landline communicationsystem in step 528. Accordingly, the cellular phone can also operate asone of the landline phones 602, 604 on the PSTN, VoIP or IMS network. Inanother embodiment, the base unit 606 in whole or in part can be anintegral part of the STB 106 of FIG. 1. Accordingly, method 500 can beadapted to operate in an interactive IPTV, cable TV or satellite TVcommunication system. From these illustrations, it would be apparent foran artisan with ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosurecan be adapted so that a cellular phone or a landline phone can operatein either a landline communication system (such as shown in FIG. 2) or acellular communication system (such as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6).Similarly, it would be apparent to said artisan that the base unit 606with a built-in femtocell can be integrated in other communicationdevices such as the Internet/router modem 608 of FIG. 6.

Other suitable modifications can be applied to the present disclosurewithout departing from the scope of the claims below. Accordingly, thereader is directed to the claims section for a fuller understanding ofthe breadth and scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 800 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed above. In some embodiments, the machine operatesas a standalone device. In some embodiments, the machine may beconnected (e.g., using a network) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient user machine in server-client user network environment, or as apeer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a desktopcomputer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or anymachine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a device of the present disclosure includes broadly anyelectronic device that provides voice, video or data communication.Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shallalso be taken to include any collection of machines that individually orjointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform anyone or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The computer system 800 may include a processor 802 (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a mainmemory 804 and a static memory 806, which communicate with each othervia a bus 808. The computer system 800 may further include a videodisplay unit 810 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, asolid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system800 may include an input device 812 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 814 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 816, a signal generationdevice 818 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interfacedevice 820.

The disk drive unit 816 may include a machine-readable medium 822 onwhich is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 824)embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions describedherein, including those methods illustrated above. The instructions 824may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the mainmemory 804, the static memory 806, and/or within the processor 802during execution thereof by the computer system 800. The main memory 804and the processor 802 also may constitute machine-readable media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatusand systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety ofelectronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions intwo or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices withrelated control and data signals communicated between and through themodules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, andhardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementationscan include, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

The present disclosure contemplates a machine readable medium containinginstructions 824, or that which receives and executes instructions 824from a propagated signal so that a device connected to a networkenvironment 826 can send or receive voice, video or data, and tocommunicate over the network 826 using the instructions 824. Theinstructions 824 may further be transmitted or received over a network826 via the network interface device 820.

While the machine-readable medium 822 is shown in an example embodimentto be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should betaken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralizedor distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) thatstore the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readablemedium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by themachine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies of the present disclosure.

The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken toinclude, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memorycard or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile)memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile)memories; magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape;and/or a digital file attachment to e-mail or other self-containedinformation archive or set of archives is considered a distributionmedium equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, thedisclosure is considered to include any one or more of amachine-readable medium or a distribution medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodicallysuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocolshaving the same functions are considered equivalents.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R.§1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quicklyascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit thescope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing DetailedDescription, it can be seen that various features are grouped togetherin a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that the claimed embodiments require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are herebyincorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separately claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A machine-readable storage medium comprisingexecutable instructions that, when executed by a processor of a cellulardevice, facilitate performance of operations comprising: receiving, froman access point device, a query requesting use of communication servicesassociated with the cellular device; and providing an authorization tothe access point device to utilize the communication services associatedwith the cellular device, wherein the providing of the authorizationcauses the access point device to provide a request to establishcommunications to a server and causes the access point device to enablea landline phone communicatively coupled with the access point device tocommunicate with a remote end user device utilizing identificationinformation of the cellular device, and wherein communication betweenthe landline phone and the remote end user device comprises a voicecall.
 2. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein theprocessor comprises a plurality of processors operating in a distributedprocessing environment, wherein the receiving of the query from theaccess point device is responsive to a detection that the cellulardevice is within a communication range threshold of the access pointdevice.
 3. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein theoperations further comprise: presenting, at a user interface of thecellular device, the query requesting use of the communication servicesassociated with the cellular device; receiving, at the user interface,user input responsive to the presenting of the query; and generating theauthorization to utilize the communication services associated with thecellular device based on the user input.
 4. The machine-readable storagemedium of claim 1, wherein in-coming call alerts are presented at thelandline phone and are suppressed at the cellular device during use bythe landline phone of the communication services associated with thecellular device.
 5. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 1,wherein the identification information of the cellular device comprisesan electronic serial number, and wherein the communication servicesassociated with the cellular device comprise voice, video and dataservices.
 6. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein theidentification information of the cellular device comprises aninternational mobile equipment identity, and wherein the communicationservices associated with the cellular device comprise voice, video anddata services.
 7. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 1,wherein a detection of the cellular device being out of thecommunication range threshold of the access point device causes theaccess point device to disable the landline phone from communicatingwith the remote user device using the identification information of thecellular device.
 8. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 1,wherein a detection of the cellular device being turn off causes theaccess point device to disable the landline phone from communicatingwith the remote user device using the identification information of thecellular device.
 9. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 1,wherein the operations further comprise: receiving, at a user interface,a user input for requesting a termination of use by the landline phoneof the communication services associated with the cellular device; andtransmitting a request to the access point device for the termination ofthe use by the landline phone of the communication services associatedwith the cellular device responsive to the receiving of the user input,wherein the access point device disables the landline phone fromcommunicating with the remote user device using the identificationinformation of the cellular device.
 10. The machine-readable storagemedium of claim 9, wherein the user input further comprises requesting acall from the cellular device to a second remote end user device,wherein the request to the access point device for the termination ofthe use by the landline phone of the communication services associatedwith the cellular device further comprises a second request to connectthe cellular device to the second remote end user device, and whereinthe call is completed via the access point device.
 11. A cellulardevice, comprising: a processor; and a memory that stores executableinstructions that, when executed by the processor, facilitateperformance of operations, comprising: receiving, from an access pointdevice, a query requesting use of communication services associated withthe cellular device responsive to a detection that the cellular deviceis within a communication range threshold of the access point device;and providing an authorization to the access point device to utilize thecommunication services associated with the cellular device, wherein theproviding of the authorization causes the access point device to providea request to establish communications to a server for enabling alandline phone to communicate via a cellular network utilizingidentification information of the cellular device.
 12. The cellulardevice of claim 11, wherein the processor comprises a plurality ofprocessors operating in a distributed processing environment, andwherein communication between the landline phone and a remote end userdevice via the cellular network comprises a voice call
 13. The cellulardevice of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise: presenting,at a user interface, the query requesting use of the communicationservices associated with the cellular device; receiving, at the userinterface, user input responsive to the presenting of the query; andgenerating the authorization to utilize the communication servicesassociated with the cellular device based on the user input.
 14. Thecellular device of claim 11, wherein in-coming call alerts are presentedat the landline phone and are suppressed at the cellular device duringuse by the landline phone of the communication services associated withthe cellular device.
 15. The cellular device of claim 11, wherein adetection of the cellular device being out of the communication rangethreshold of the access point device causes the access point device todisable the landline phone from communicating with the remote userdevice using the identification information of the cellular device. 16.The cellular device of claim 11, wherein a detection of the cellulardevice being turn off causes the access point device to disable thelandline phone from communicating with the remote user device using theidentification information of the cellular device.
 17. The cellulardevice of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise: receiving,at a user interface, a user input for requesting a termination of use bythe landline phone of the communication services associated with thecellular device; and transmitting a request to the access point devicefor the termination of the use by the landline phone of thecommunication services associated with the cellular device responsive tothe receiving of the user input, wherein the access point devicedisables the landline phone from communicating with the remote userdevice using the identification information of the cellular device. 18.The cellular device of claim 17, wherein the user input furthercomprises requesting a call from the cellular device to a second remoteend user device, wherein the request to the access point device for thetermination of the use by the landline phone of the communicationservices associated with the cellular device further comprises a secondrequest to connect the cellular device to the second remote end userdevice, and wherein the call is completed via the access point device.19. A method, comprising: receiving, by a system comprising a processor,a query, from an access point device, requesting use of communicationservices associated with the system responsive to a detection that thesystem is within a communication range threshold of the access pointdevice; and providing, by the system, an authorization to the accesspoint device to utilize the communication services associated with thecellular device, wherein the access point device transmits a request toestablish communications to a server for enabling a landline phone tocommunicate via a cellular network utilizing identification informationof the cellular device.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein theprocessor comprises a plurality of processors operating in a distributedprocessing environment, and further comprising: presenting, by thesystem, the query, at a user interface, requesting use of thecommunication services associated with the cellular device; receiving,by the system, user input, at the user interface, responsive to thepresenting of the query; and generating, by the system, theauthorization to utilize the communication services associated with thecellular device based on the user input.